Windscreen wiper device

ABSTRACT

A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillation wiper arm, wherein the oscillating arm is pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis near one end. The end of the oscillating wiper arm has an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section and the connecting device is at least partly positioned within the end of the oscillating arm. The end of the oscillating arm is provided, at the location of the pivot axis, with a shaft extending between the legs of the U-shaped cross-section. The shaft is pivotally engaged in the connecting device.

The invention relates to a windscreen wiper device comprising anelastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper bladeof a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with awindscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinalgrooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apartlongitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, whereinneighbouring ends of said longitudinal strips are interconnected by arespective connecting piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises aconnecting device for an oscillating wiper arm, wherein said oscillatingarm is pivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axisnear one end.

Such a windscreen wiper device is generally known. The prior artwindscreen wiper device is in particular designed as a “yokeless” wiperdevice, wherein use is no longer made of several yokes pivotallyconnected to each other, but wherein the wiper blade is biassed by thecarrier element, as a result of which it exhibits a specific curvature.The oscillating arm of the prior art windscreen wiper device comprises aprojecting pin on one side thereof, which is inserted sideways into athrough hole of the connecting device.

One drawback of the prior art windscreen wiper device is the fact thatin practice the forces (torques) that are exerted on the connectionbetween the connecting device and the oscillating arm appear to berelatively high, as a result of which the reliability of said connectionappears to diminish with the passage of time. In addition, said forces(torques) will be extra high if (as is the case with the prior artwindscreen wiper device) the pin of the oscillating arm, which projectsin one direction, is inserted into the through hole of the connectingdevice at a high point relative to the wiper blade.

The object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the priorart as indicated above, in particular to provide a windscreen wiperdevice wherein the oscillating wiper and the connecting device areinterconnected in a durable, solid manner.

In order to accomplish that objective, a windscreen wiper device of thekind referred to in the introduction is characterized in that the end ofthe oscillating wiper arm has an at least substantially U-shapedcross-section and that the connecting device is at least partlypositioned within said end or the oscillating arm, wherein the end ofthe oscillating arm is provided, at the location of the pivot axis, witha shaft extending between the legs of the U-shaped cross-section, saidshaft pivotally engaging in said connecting device. In particular, theshaft can be pivotally fitted in at least one correspondingly shapedrecess in the connecting device.

In one preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device according tothe invention, the shaft can be snapped into said recess.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention, the shaft is dimensioned such that it can be passedthrough an insertion opening of the recess from an at leastsubstantially perpendicular position of the oscillating arm with respectto the wiper blade, and be locked in position in said recess from an atleast substantially parallel position of the oscillating wiper arm withrespect to the wiper blade. This makes it possible to move, inparticular pivot, the oscillating wiper arm from a mounting position(that is, a (vertical) position perpendicularly to the wiper blade orthe plane of a windscreen to be wiped) to an operative position (thatis, a (horizontal) position parallel to the wiper blade or the plane ofa windscreen to be wiped). In the mounting position, the shaft can befreely inserted into the insertion opening of the recess andsubsequently be mounted in said recess, whilst in the operative positionthe shaft is locked in position in said recess, so that it cannot moveout of said recess via the insertion opening.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper according to theinvention, the shaft is formed by two protrusions each extendinginwardly on a leg of the U-shaped cross-section. Preferably saidprotrusions are at least substantially cylindrical and form at leastsubstantially cylindrical bearing surfaces. The two protrusions thatfunction as bearing surfaces are spaced far apart, so that the forcesthat are exerted on said bearing surfaces will be relatively low.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper according to theinvention, the connecting device device includes a guide groove for theoscillating wiper arm. Since the oscillating wiper arm is at leastpartially disposed in said guide groove in the aforesaid operativeposition, the oscillating wiper arm comprises additional capability ofwithstanding relatively high torques in that position.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper according to theinvention the shaft is formed by a pin extending from one leg to theother leg of the U-shaped cross-section.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention, said connecting pieces are clamping members, whichform separate constructional elements. In particular, said connectingpieces are form-locked (“positive locking” or “having positive fit”) orforce-locked to the adjacent ends of the longitudinal strips.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention, said connecting pieces are in one piece with saidlongitudinal strips. In another preferred embodiment of a windscreenwider device according to the invention, at least said longitudinalstrips are made of spring band material, preferably steel.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention, said connecting device comprises clamping members,which engage round longitudinal sides of said longitudinal strips thatface away from each other. In particular, said connecting device andsaid clamping members are made in one piece.

The invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing awindscreen wiper device according to the invention, wherein opposinglongitudinal grooves are formed in the longitudinal sides of anelongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed inabutment with a windscreen to be wiped, in which grooves longitudinalstrips of a carrier element are subsequently fitted in spaced-apartrelationship, wherein neighbouring ends of said longitudinal strips areinterconnected by a respective connecting piece, wherein an oscillatingarm is pivotally connected to a connecting device of the windscreenwiper device about a pivot axis near one end thereof, characterized inthat the end of the oscillating wiper arm has an at least substantiallyU-shaped cross-section and that the connecting device is at least partlypositioned within said end of the oscillating arm, wherein the end ofthe oscillating arm is provided, at the location of the pivot axis, witha shaft extending between the legs of the U-shaped cross-section, saidshaft pivotally engaging in said connecting device.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference tofigures illustrated in a drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, schematic view of a preferred embodiment of awindscreen wiper device according to the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 show details of the windscreen wiper device of FIG. 1,wherein various successive steps for fitting an oscillating wiper arm toa connecting device of the windscreen wiper device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 2, but relating to another embodiment.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a preferred variant of a windscreen wiper device 1according to the invention. Said windscreen wiper device is built up ofan elastomeric wiper blade 2, in the longitudinal sides of whichopposing longitudinal grooves 3 are formed, and of longitudinal strips 4made of spring band steel, which are fitted in said longitudinal grooves3. Said strips 4 form a flexible carrier element for the rubber wiperblade 2, as it were, which is thus biassed in a curved position (thecurvature in operative position being that of a windscreen to be wiped).Neighbouring ends 5 of strips a are interconnected on either side of thewindscreen wiper device 1 by means of connecting pieces 6 functioning asclamping members. In this embodiment, the connecting pieces 6 areseparate constructional elements, which may be form-locked (“positivelocking” or “having positive fit”) as well as force-locked to the ends 5of strips 4. In another preferred variant, said connecting pieces 6 arein one piece with the strips 4 made of spring band steel. In the lattercase said connecting pieces form transverse bridges for the strips 4, asit were.

The windscreen wiper device 1 is furthermore built up of a connectingdevice 7 of plastic material for an oscillating wiper arm B. Connectingdevice 7 comprises clamping members 9 that are integral therewith, whichengage round longitudinal sides 10 or the strips 4 that face away fromeach other, as a result of which the connecting device 7 is firmlyattached to the unit consisting of wiper blade 2 and strips 4. Theoscillating wiper arm 8 is pivotally connected to the connecting device7 about a pivot axis rear one end, and that in the following manner. Theend of oscillating wiper arm 8 has an at least substantially U-shapedcross-section at the location of its connection to the connecting device7. On both sides of the legs of the U-shaped cross-section the end ofoscillating wiper arm 8 includes two at least substantially cylindrical,inwardly extending protrusions 11, which form cylindrical bearingsurfaces, at the location of the pivot axis. Said protrusions 11 can bereadily inserted into a correspondingly shaped recess 12 in theconnecting device 7 from a vertical position of the oscillating wiperarm 8. This can take place freely from said vertical position, becausethe width of said protrusions 11 is smaller than that of the insertionopening 13 of the recess 12 in that position: it so happens that bothprotrusions 11 have a flat guide surface 14 (FIG. 2). Then theoscillating wiper arm a is pivoted through 90 degrees about the pivotaxis, from its vertical position to a horizontal position (FIG. 3). Inthe horizontal position of the oscillating wiper arm 8, the width ofsaid protrusions 11 is larger than the width or the insertion opening 13of the recess 12, so that the oscillating wiper arm 5 is locked withrespect to the connecting device 7 in that position (FIG. 3). Theconnecting device 7 may include a longitudinal guide groove, in whichthe end of the oscillating wiper arm 8 rests in its horizontal position.In another preferred variant, the protrusions 11 can be snapped, thatis, clipped into said recess 12. Possibly, a spoiler 16 is furthermoreprovided. Instead of one recess 12 as shown, also two recesses (one foreach protrusion 11) may be used.

In order to prevent the occurrence of wear on protrusions 11, saidprotrusions are preferably each fitted with a joint part or spacer 15 ofa wear-resistant plastic material, which surrounds said protrusions, sothat the pivoting movement of connecting device 7 and oscillating wiperarm 8 with respect to each other takes place substantially withoutfriction. Such a joint part 15 is not necessarily mounted entirelyaround said protrusions: only these parts or said protrusions thatduring use make mechanical contact with (parts of) the connecting device7 are surrounded by a joint part 15. When using joint parts 15 saidprotrusions 11 may have an entirely round form. (i.e. without a guidesurface), seen in cross-section.

FIG. 4 corresponds with FIG. 2, wherein parts corresponding with partsof FIG. 2 are designated with the same reference numerals. Instead oftwo protrusions 11 extending between both legs of the U-shapedcross-section 1, now use is made of a pin 17 extending from one leg tothe other leg of the U-shaped cross-section. The way of connecting theoscillating arm 8 to the connecting device 7 is identical to the waydescribed in relation to FIGS. 2 and 3.

In assembled position the connection of the oscillating arm 6 and theconnecting device 7 may be covered by a cover in order to prevent rain,dust, etcetera entering the connection. The cover is preferably made asa single, plastic and detachable unit.

The invention is not restricted to the variants as shown in the drawing,but it also extends to other embodiments that fall within the scope ofthe appended claims.

1-11. (Cancelled).
 12. A windscreen wiper device comprising: an elastic,elongated carrier element; an elongated wiper blade of a flexiblematerial which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wipedhaving opposing longitudinal grooves on opposite longitudinal sidesthereof; spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier elementdisposed in said grooves; connecting pieces interconnecting neighboringends of said strips; a connecting device; an oscillating wiper armpivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis nearone end; said one end having a substantially U-shaped cross-section;said connecting device being at least partly positioned within said oneend; said one end being provided, at the location of said pivot axis,with a shaft extending between spaced legs of said U-shaped one end;said shaft pivotally engaging said connecting device and being pivotallymounted in at least one correspondingly shaped recess in the connectingdevice; wherein said shaft is dimensioned such that it can be passedfreely through an insertion opening of said recess from an at leastsubstantially perpendicular position of said oscillating arm withrespect to said wiper blade, and be locked in position in said recessfrom an at least substantially parallel position of the oscillatingwiper arm with respect to the wiper blades.
 13. A windscreen wiperdevice according to claim 12, wherein said shaft comprises twoprotrusions each extending inwardly on a leg of said U-shaped one end.14. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 12, wherein said shaftcomprises a pin extending from one leg to the other leg of said U-shapedone end.
 15. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 12 whereinsaid connecting device includes a guide groove for said oscillatingwiper arm.
 16. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 12 whereinsaid connecting pieces comprise clamping members formed as separateconstructional elements.
 17. A windscreen wiper device according toclaim 16 wherein said connecting pieces are form-locked or force-lockedto the adjacent ends of said longitudinal strips.
 18. A windscreen wiperdevice according to claim 1 wherein said connecting pieces are formed asone piece with said longitudinal strips.
 19. A windscreen wiper deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein said longitudinal strips are made of springband material.
 20. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 1wherein said connecting device comprises clamping members which engageround longitudinal sides of said longitudinal strips that face away fromeach other.
 21. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 9, whereinsaid connecting device and said clamping members are made in one piece.22. A method for manufacturing a windscreen wiper device, comprisingforming opposing longitudinal grooves in the longitudinal sides of anelongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed inabutment with a windscreen to be wiped; fitting longitudinal strips of acarrier element in the grooves in spaced-apart relationship to oneanother; interconnecting neighboring ends of the longitudinal strips bya respective connecting piece; pivotally connecting an oscillating armto a connecting device of the windscreen wiper device about a pivot axisnear one end thereof, wherein the end of the oscillating wiper arm hasan at least substantially U-shaped cross-section, and with theconnecting device being at least partly positioned within the one end ofthe oscillating arm (B); providing the one end of the oscillating arm,at the location of the pivot axis, with a shaft extending between spacedlegs of the U-shaped one end, with the shaft pivotally engaging theconnecting device; pivotally mounting the shaft in at least onecorrespondingly shaped recess in the connecting device; dimensioning theshaft such that it can be passed freely through an insertion opening ofthe recess from an at least substantially perpendicular position of theoscillating arm with respect to the wiper blade and be locked inposition in the recess from at an lest substantially parallel positionof the oscillating wiper arm with respect to the wiper blade.